40 easy better Recipes

prepared chocolate crumb crusts (or use a graham cracker crust, the chocolate is better!), serve prepared fat-free chocolate pudding, reduced-fat peanut butter (or use sugar-free peanut butter), cool whip lite, frozen whipped topping, thawed, magic shell ice cream topping (use as much as desired)

ground beef (85% or better), green peppers, chopped, onions, chopped, dark red kidney beans (drained ), light red kidney beans (drained ), crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, minced garlic, vinegar, jalapenos, finely chopped (optional), hot sauce (or to taste), chili powder, southwest seasoning (or to taste), cumin, fresh cilantro, chopped (optional), salt, sour cream, cheddar cheese, hot sauce, scallion

lean ground beef, lean ground turkey, onion, chopped, water, diced tomatoes, garlic powder (such as lawry s), sea salt , or to taste, dried basil, ground black pepper , or to taste, beef base (such as better than bouillon), frozen mixed vegetables

flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, eggs, milk, pure vanilla extract, butter or 1/2 cup shortening, melted, white sugar, melted butter, cinnamon , the stronger the better, brown sugar, broken walnuts or 1/2 cup pecans, melted butter, powdered sugar, warm milk, melted butter, pure vanilla extract

red potatoes (not pre-bagged, hand picked, the smaller the better), olive oil, oregano, rosemary, chili powder, ground ginger, red cayenne pepper, garlic powder or 4 large cloves, finely minced, ground cumin, coarse sea salt

butter, whole cranberry sauce (can use jellied cranberry sauce but the whole is better), green onion, chopped, water, dijon mustard, brown sugar, ground ginger, ground black pepper, cooked ham (can use more )

rotisserie-cooked chicken (cooked , pulled off bones), chicken broth, cream of celery soup, pepper, poultry seasoning, count) can buttermilk biscuits

broccoli florets- stems cut off (i prefer fresh ), white onion- sliced into thin rainbows, garlic- crushed and minced, fresh basil- about 4-5 leaves rolled up and cut into ribbons (try to use fresh, tastes much better!), red crushed pepper (or to taste if you can tsp handle a little heat!), salt, coarse black pepper- 5 grinds, parmigiana cheese- try to use a good brand, drizzle of balsamic glaze- i used store bought , but its easy to make at home too, pam- olive oil flavored, olive oil, cold water (for boiling ), cold water with ice (for blanching)

ground beef, tomato sauce, ground cumin, ground coriander, chili powder (heaping, i like to use either ancho or penzey s medium hot ), garlic cloves, crushed, hot sauce , to taste (optional), salt , to taste (optional)

natural chunky peanut butter, soy sauce (tamari), tomato puree, dry sherry, lime , zest of, grated, fresh lime juice, brown sugar (dark is better ), chili paste with garlic (see note), vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced, peanuts , roasted and chopped, scallions, thinly sliced, red bell pepper, finely diced, snow peas , diagonally sliced into thin shreds, mushrooms, sliced, broccoli florets, spaghetti (see note )

eggs, sugar, vanilla extract (the more authentic, the better), qt half-and-half, leftover dinner rolls , 4-5 hot dog buns, or other soft roll, real butter (1 stick), sugar, evaporated milk, flour, almond extract

cream cheese, creamy blue cheese dressing (i use tyler florence recipe, posted - very quick and easy, better than bottled), chicken breasts, taco seasoning, olive oil, shredded mexican flavor cheese (or your fave, pepper jack, etc), red hot sauce, chili powder (to taste), jalapenos slices

all-purpose flour, salt, paprika, egg, milk, boneless skinless chicken breasts (butterfly to make 4 thin pieces), butter, fresh mushrooms, sliced, chopped onion, chicken broth (i make this from better than bouillon), white wine (to taste), lemon juice (to taste), cornstarch, capers (optional), chopped fresh parsley, for garnish, cooked rice (i prefer botan calrose)

ground beef or 3/4 lb turkey, chopped onion, chopped green pepper, garlic cloves, minced, tomatoes, cut up, dark red kidney beans, drained, tomato sauce, chili powder, dried basil, crushed, salt, pepper

butter, melted, sugar, ground nutmeg, crushed graham crackers, softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, carton dessert topping (cool whip), instant pistachio pudding mix, milk

refrigerated biscuits (plain store brand , do not use jumbo, flaky, buttered, etc.), vegetable oil (for fryer), whole milk, pure vanilla extract, sugar

maple syrup, dark brown sugar (light brown will work, but dark brown is so much better), bourbon, jalapeno , roasted (very small), minced shallot, minced garlic, butter (unsalted , and no margarine), salt, red pepper flakes (more or less to taste) (optional), ground black pepper, salt , but go easy